Weld analyzer



9ct 23 w52 R. o. ELLERBY 2,616,03

wELD ANALYZER Filed Feb. 26, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Get, 28, 1952 R. o. ELLE-:REY 27535,@4

' WELD ANALYZER Filed Feb. 26, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 www5/x@ R. O. ELLERBY Oct, 28, 1952 WELD ANALYZER 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed. Feb. 26, 1948 w\ Mmm "www s j S14 www /w Nk SNN R. O. ELLERBY WELD ANALYZER Oct. Z8, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 2e, 194s i L TJ 06t- 28, 1952 R. o. ELLERBY 2,616,014

WELD ANALYZER Filed Feb. 26, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Snvcntor @Jef/M@ En 1.3,/

Patented ct. 28, i952 UNTEDr STATES L @-FFEQE WELD 'ANALYZERl ribben o. sllferby, nloomflluf lill, Mieli., as: signor to General Motors Co'ati; Detroit; lfi'h., a ciatib'n' of Delaware" Application February 26, 1948,-1SerlalNo.` 11,249*- This invention relates to measuring andv indieating means and more particularly to meansfor measuring.. simultaneously several operating characteristics. of a`l mechanism and indicating the same so that the operation thereof may be analyzed.

2in/producing..satisfactory Welds, the value of the Welding current, the mechanical pressure applied` and.` the timed relationship of the two are important. In order to study the actual values ofv each present inproducing welds, there` wasy devised a system such as that set forth inwan patent issued November e, 19e-7, to Franl- L. lvioncher,r No. 2,430,237, entitled Weld- Analyzer, and assigned to a common assignee. With this device it Was possible to obtain curves representing actual timed values of the current and pressure as theweld was being made. Thismechanisrn was of considerable size and somewhat arduous to adjust and operate. y I n It is, therefore, an objectvof mylinvention to provide an improved means to indicate welding current and pressure 4in an operating machine Which is easily operable, adjustable and accessible for service. l 4

It is a further object of my invention to provide means for analyzingv welding current andpressure-invrlflichit is only necessaryto locate arslnall pick-up unit at the Welder being te'stedfl the remainder oi the equipment may belocated sonde distance therefrom, without i'ntrodu'ci'g error'.

It is a still further object of nly invention to" provide an improved power supply'to the' pillup andV amplifier units, which r'eg''llatesV the voltage.

It is a still further object invention to' provide novel means folmoving' one o'fftle'superimposed curves so that it other and they may be. studied'lno're easilyl It is a still further object of friy invention Vto' provide novel arnp'l'ifying'f means for' the' signals priorto their introduction tov the oscillog'raph'.

It is a still further. objectn of nfy invention to provide a novel initiating. or' trip control and' synchronizing Ineans t'o` tie'the indicator to the welding timer. Y

trace at operators selection.

With these and-*other objects in vieu/'whichV will become apparent as` the specificationv proceeds, my invention will be bestunderstoodbyrefnce to the following specification Aand cla'in's andthe illustrations in the aocollflpanying drawings, in

which:

Figure-1 isl-ablqck diagram-showing the various essential parts ofY my invention.-

2 Figure la lsra view" slidwlflgi''lesalnpl-ffne operating curvesobtainable'- the oslllgraiplf. Figures 2, 2`,3 ad 3d taken together arethe complete circuit d'i'agrai ofthe' syste'rn'f' r'ny Weld analyzer. Y

As mentioned p'eil`6us1`y,`t prsent invention' deals general 'w'ltlralr 'ovest Systranpnl-.fif-vr inally selfl forth ln .ur b'ove'f elltolreu'ratet- #2,430,237. The djevl'cj'e may" te' simply describe-d electrode presjsr'emr fthe" Seton@ proportional to the" current, bother which afmaken' through separate channels, amplied and applied' to' an electronic switch whichA applies" these" signa-ls alternately to the" verti al" d'ee'otior electrodesA of a" cathodei ray tube; e frequency of appli- CatOHO thes'Sgilalsm'si)J hgrh'that While" the small impulses `are'p'rpo/'rti'onal respectively: to alternate signals, nobreak isseen in the continu-'1 ous lin'e andv the Ycurve "showing the:v current appears transposed jon'- that'showingV the' pressure on VtheV tuloeiv `In' thisAllla'jn'rer the operator'ca determine exactly'A theirelationship` between the` application of maximum pressure'and the instant of'rn'axiirlum current 4 'ril-isis thegelieral Qperatlrrof the sys't'emau thevarious` units which'A applicant haslincur?AA poratedto 'carry out "the`'alove*functionsl arese't forth generally in the-block diagram rrr Figure; ll. InA that" caselhere "is dlscleseil a plksupl una 2l` which; as" before" mentioned; isL capalolefofinsel*- tionbetwei the Weldill'seleotrodes; One'of the" signals'generated' bythe pick-upunit4 is" that proportional' to' the"'el'ectrd`e` pressure, andthatI signal lsffed' to' a unit @for-cbpllngjtotlie Gsell-- latorllletelor' unit e." In the-previous instance theplelr-*upunlt was lamelle"k to tek closely" associ--Y ated 'withthe" oscillator fdetector unit; inasmuch' asi'tli'e" Apick-up characteristic' forthis* feature' is'l a Varying capacity'r and` it was; therefdre, neces-4 sary" to lriore or" less-closely" asso 'the'r tvl'fo"l parts' in orderf'to aV- s'p'u'rious'? si'fgnals elfe't'di by capa'city-fcharigl btween the" piol-up and2 the o'sc'iillatorv detector. By using a: low' irnp'ed-i ance link couplingi oir-"cuit, it is no longer neces? sary to associate vthepick-up unit 'physically neai' to the oscillator detector.v This makes a'muchf smaller unit whichI can be carried directly tothe Welder and simplies the system'. As amatter ofy fact, the plek-up una 2v and the-.link coupling 4 are physicallyencased within-the saine housing.V

The link coupled circuit applies the signal proportional to the pressure to the oscillator detector unit 5, which in turn is connected directly through line 8 with the electronic switch l0. The signal proportional to the current is conducted through line l2 to the current phasing means I4, where it is amplied and then applied through line I6 to the same electronic switch. The function of this electronic switch, as touched upon briefly above, is to very rapidly alternately apply signals proportional to the pressure and current so that both curves are generated simultaneously. The output, therefore, of the electronic switch is what might be termed a combined signal which is applied through line i3 to the deflection amplifiers in block 20. The output of these deflection amplifiers is applied directly through line 22 to the oscillograph 24 itself. In order to synchronize the operation of the present indicator and analyzing equipment or to cause the same to trip at a proper moment in the welding cycle, there is provided a trip control system 26 which is 0perated through cable 28 from the welding machine timer. This mechanism is connected to a beam control and synchronizing relay 30 through line 32, which actually operates the beam of the oscillograph. With the exception of a time delay circuit, the remainder of the block diagram consists of control panels and power supply means such as control panel 34, power supply 36 for the sweep oscillator, power distribution panel 38, voltage regulator transformer 40, and a regulating power supply 42, all of which are supplied in the main by supply line 44, connectable to a standard 110 v. A. C. source.

Referring now to the complete circuit diagram, which is disclosed in the combined Figures 2, 2a, 3 and 3a of the drawing, the pick-up member 2 is diagrammatically shown as consisting of an upper electrode 40 which moves in a vertical direction, as indicated by the arrow, relative to a lower electrode 48, the two comprising a capacity. The condenser so formed is part of a tuned resonant circuit which includes a coil or inductance 5a and two condensers 52 and 54. The condenser 54 is so adjusted as to bring the resonant circuit just oi the peak of the resonance response curve when the pick-up has no pressure applied to its upper electrode 40. It is well known that on either side of the resonant peak there is a cers l tain straight portion of the curve in which any change in the signal will be directly proportional to a capacity change or physical movement in this case. Thus, as the electrode 46 is forced down toward the electrode 48, the change in capacity will tend to further de-tune the resonant circuit and proportionately change the signal therefrom.

'Ihe inductance coil 5&1 is inductively coupled to a transfer coil 50 so that as the amount of energy flowing in the tuned circuit changes, the variation will be picked up by the coil 5S and transmitted to the oscillator detector. Coil 50 is connected directly to two terminals B and D of a connector plug 58. The mating portion 60 of the plug 58 has similarly identified terminals connected to a conductive cable 52, which terminates in one portion 84 of a second separable receptacle which applies these voltages to a plug 66. In this plug it will be seen that the terminals C-B are connected to ground, and D is connected to line 68, which extends to a small transfer coil 10, the opposite side of which is connected through line l2 to B, which is, of course, ground. Thus, any signal impressed upon the transfer coil in the pick-up assembly is transferred through a low impedance circuit to the transfer coil 10. This signal is proportional to any change in the pressure on the welding electrodes.

At the same time a voltage proportional to the ow of current through the welding electrodes is developed across the shunt resistance 15 in the upper electrode 46, and this is shown as being conducted through line 14 to terminal A. Following the same channels as before, this current flows through terminal A in each of the disconnect plugs, and is applied to line 16 from the upper plug 60. Thus we have developed a signal proportional to the welding pressure, and also a signal proportional to the welding current and transferred each of these to a portion of the remote apparatus. Since the line between the transfer coils 56 and 101s of low impedance, it can be relatively long without introducing any appreciable error into the system.

The coil 10, to which the signal proportional to the pressure changes is applied, is in close inductive relation to transformer coil 80, which forms a portion of the coupling between an oscillator and a detector. Associated with each of the coils '|8 and 80 is an adjustable condenser 32 and 84 respectively. These tuned circuits are also so adjusted as to peak at the same resonant frequency as that of the pick-up circuit so that vsubstantial energy will be transferred. Tube 86 is the oscillator tube and connected to its control grid 88 is a resonant circuit consisting of inductance and condensers 02 and 94 which determine the frequency thereof. The plate of the oscillator is connected directly to the resonant circuit including capacity 82 and inductance 18,

which transfers energy to the input circuit ofV the detector tube 98, which, of course, is affected by the variation in the signal on the coil 10. This input circuit from resonant circuit 84, 80 is connected to two diode terminals |00 and |02.

The output of the detector is from the terminals |04 and |06, which are both connected to line |06.

|08 and ||0 and capacities ||2 and ||6. The signal then proceeds into a resistance IIB having a' variable tap |20 which can be adjusted as de` sired. Resistor i8 is connected directly to a second resistor ||4, which in turn is connected through an indicating meter |22 having its other terminal connected through line |24 to adjustable tap |26 on resistance |28. Thus the meter |22 will indicate to the operator the amount of energy flow. The movement of the tap |20 on the resistor ||8 adjusts the value of the signal developed in the oscillator detector, which is to be applied to the electronic switch and in turn to the cathode ray tube. This signal is applied through line |30, which terminates in a resistor |32, the opposite end of which is grounded and which is provided with an adjustable tap |34 to vary the value of the applied signal.

The signal, which is proportional to the current flow through the Welding electrodes, is applied to line lo', which terminates in one or une control grids |38 of the tube |38. Thus, the potential developed across the resistor 'i5 is applied directly to this control electrode. This tube acts as a triode amplifier. The tube |38 is a double triode tube and the first triode section includes a plate |40. Plate |40 is connected through line |42 to a stationary switch tap |44 which cooperates with a movable switch arm |46 in turn connected through line |48 to a resistor |50, the opposite The signal developed thereon passesV through a low pass lter comprising inductances terminal of which is connected,- to ground. A variabletap |52 is associated with the resistor |50 and is used to control the output to the electronic switch. Therefore, the amount of the signal amplified through one section of the tube |38 may be applied directly` to the electronic switch through the resistor |50 and this signal is proportional to the current flow through the weld.

As will be seen, however, from a brief'study of Figure la, the two curves, one representing the weld current and the other representingV electrode pressure, appear simultaneously and in superimposed position on the screen of the cathode ray tube. That section in which the electrode pressure is being built up and at which time the weld current is impressed and'then slowly dies away is, of course, the most important part of the cycle and in many instances this superimposed position of the curves is somewhat confusing, and for careful study it would be desirable to separate the two. This is accomplished by a 180 phase reversal of the signal proportional to the current, which would then lie in the position shown in dotted lines on Figure la. This reversal is accomplished through the same portion of the circuit just discussed, and'is executed by moving movable switch arm |48 from stationary contact |54 to stationary contact i511-, or that position in which it is now shown in the drawings. The signal then, which appears in line ll'l, develops a voltage across a potentiometer l having an adjustable tap |58, which tap is connected back through conductive line ll to the control electrode |37 in the second triode section of the tube. The proportional amplified signal then is` picked up from plate |52 and applied to line lilli, and if the switching is so adjusted, appears in line Hi8 for application to the electronic switch, and, as before mentioned, is 180 out of phase with the signal previously applied through stationary contact |44, so that the trace is inverted and both may be read'more accurately.

it will be evident that at this point I 'have specifically described the apparatus utilized for picking up and applying to two different potentiometers, signals proportional, rst to the weld electrode pressure, and, second, to the welding current flowing. As described generally, the next portion of the equipment is termed the electronic switch, and its purpose is to take thetwo signals generated and to alternately apply them at such rapid frequency that no pause between impulses can be detected; that is, a signal proportional to the value of the pressure is applied for an ultra-short time interval, immediately followed by a signal proportional to the current and these are alternated at a frequency in this case of somewhere around 1500 cycles. The electronic switch, specifically, consists of what may be termed an oscillator or multi-vibrator which operates at the frequency desired. This consists of two triode tubes l@ and |68, connected in inverted relation. The grids |10 andl'iZ are connected to resistances |74 and |75, which are Xed, and also |19 and |30, which are simultaneously adjustable, which resistances in combination with capacities |82 and |84 control the frequency of this multi-vibrator circuit. The impulses generated at the frequency of the multivibrator are applied alternately through plates |36' and |88, condensers |871 and |89, to the control grids i and |32 of tubes ISG and |96' respectively. These tubes, while they are pentodes,

have rtheir pla-tesi' and fgrids'v connected together.'

andso operate'as triode' amplifiers,- and'are used`vv as blocking tubes to' alternatelyblock the-signals out. V They cooperate-with two switchingfarnpli= er tubes |98 'and 200,' which are the'actualf switching means for the impressed signals pre-` viously indicated.

The cathodes 232 and 204 of the-tubesl" and It are connected lrespectively vto the cathodes 2% and 208 ofthe tubes-|98 and 200; 'llier'e-v fore, when one of the tubes, for examplelll, is.:

blocked out bya high negative voltagefi'oni `the multi-vibrator, then the connected switching amplier'tube acts as a norm-al amplier, butlwlien theV associated blocking tube conducts or'pas'ses'f current; then the cathodevoltage is*sullciently-.v

high to prevent the flow of current `or block out the associated amplifier tube;l

we and IM, are alternately conducting and?` non-conducting at the frequency of the multi-2 proportional signals appearing-on potentiometers |32 and |53, then we'will obtain high frequency impulses proportional to'our original signals.

Adjustable tap |34, therefore, is connected to aconductive line 21e, which extends to` control grid 2|2 ofthe amplifier tube |98. The plate 2 l of this tube is connected tooutput-'line zit, which extends totheve'rtical delecti'onffame plier. This, therefore, now extends af signal to the Vertical deflection amplifiers, whichV is proportional to the electrode pressure. In like manner the signal appearing across the potentiometer |59 is applied through line-2|8to the control grid 220 of tube 200 and-thesignal thereon is amplified by this tube and applied to lplate which is connected through line Ak22A, which extends to the previously described line l. Thus both signals now appear in the same conductive line'but at different values at'different instances. Thus, for'example, a series-'ofimpulses will be impressed on line 2|6 from amplifier tube |08, which are proportional tothe electrode pressure, and a second series of intervening impulses are impressed upon line 2|5` which are proportional to the weldingcurrent during the time that the other impulses are blocked out. The resultant current is, therefore, alternately proportional to welding Velectrode pressure and current, varying from'one to the other-*at the frequency of the multi-vibrator.

The operation of the blocking tubes |94 and i may be varied or controlled, vsince their grids and plates are connected through line ,226 to a potentiometer 223, whereinl the potential appeering thereon may be varied. A second adjust'- ment in the cathode circuits of 'these tubes is provided which consists of adjustable bias resistors 23! andY 232, which control the cathode potential of tubes |94 and |95 and may bealtered as the tube characteristics change or age. They also permitvery precise adjustment' ofthe amplifier tubes |98 and"20il. Lastly, fa balance control is provided which enables the operator to superimpose the wave forms proportionatezto the signals or to separate the same. This balance control is through screen grid 231i of tube Z and screen grid 236 of tube |98. Grid 236 is connected through line 214%' to one side ofaresistor 242, the opposite side of which `is connected through line .2M to'control grid 234;' The grids 'are interconnected 'through two' series fre- These; the tubesA 7 sistors 246 and 248 which have their intermediate point connected to ground. An adjustable tap '250 is associated with resistor 242 and is connected by line 252 to resistor 254 and thence through resistor 256 and resistor 258 to line 2I6.

The output of the electronic switch, therefore, is applied through line 216, which is connected to a relatively large coupling condenser 269 and thence to the vertical deflection amplifier. The size of the condenser is necessary due to the fact that it becomes charged to a voltage equal to the average of the two output voltages of the electronic switch. This results in a displacement of the two patterns on the cathode ray screen, causing the patterns to center about the zero line, determined by the vertical position circuits. The time constant of a large condenser is long enough, however, so that the entire welding cycle may occur before any drift of the two patterns becomes perceptible. The picture on the cathode ray screen appears as shown in Figure la and the two do not drift together.

In order of course, to control the oscillograph, means must be provided to horizontally sweep a beam across the oscillograph in a certain timed relation, depending upon the circumstances of the signals. The other impressed signals giving a vertical deflection for a certain time period, will then, in combination with the horizontal sweep, draw out the graph of the characteristic beingstudied. I, therefore, provide a saw-tooth sweep oscillator which in this instance comprises the gas tube 262, which is connected in parallel with the first triode section of the duo-triade 264, the plate 266 of the first being connected to plate 268 of the second through resistor 210. A series of condensers 212 are connected in parallel from this connecting line to a plurality of stationary taps which are engaged by a variable position switch member 214, in turn connected through line 216 to ground. By varying the position of the switch contact 214, we may change the sweep frequency of the device. The cathode 218 of tube 264 is maintained at positive potential by means of the voltage divider consisting of resistances 280 and 282.

The control grid 284 of the gas tube 232 is connected to a divided resistance 286, 286', and thence through line 286 to the stationary contact 288 of a magnetic switch operated by relay coil 292, the movable contact 294 of which is grounded. This switch is a beam control and synchronizing means. A condenser 296 is connected across portion 286' of the tapped resistor, and likewise connected through the conductor 291 from the tap to a movable switch contact 298, engaging either stationary contact 300 or 302, these two contacts being taps on a main resistor 304 connected between ground and line 306.

The operator may desire to operate the analyzer with a single impulse or sweep as for a single weld cycle or he may desire to continuously sweep the screen and observe how the graph changes over a period of cycles. Therefore, means for switching from continuously repetitive sweeps to a single sweep until further energization has been provided. Switch 298 lls this function and when it is its uppermost position or engages contact 338 the sweep circuit will be actuated continuously and when switch 298 is moved to the lower contact 302 only a single sweep for each energization of the trip circuit is provided. This continuous sweep action is provided by so proportioning the applied Voltages that the grid voltage on 284 is adjusted so that the firing potential of the tube 262 is slightly below the potential of the cathode 218 of diode 218-2 68. The diode therefore does not conduct and a recurrent sweep is developed as charges are built up and dissipated on condenser 212.

If, however, the switch 298 is moved to engage contact 302, then a higher negative voltage is applied to grid 284 to increase the ring potential thereof. This carries that potential above that required by the diode 218-286. A point is then reached before the gas tube 262 may nre at which the plate resistance of the diode and resistors 288, 282 form a potential divider maintaining a voltage across the timing condenser 212 at a fixed value just below the ring potential of the tube and it cannot alone build up further. In order to produce a single timed sweep a positive pulse must be provided for the grid 284 to cause it to fire. Operation of the beam control relay coil 292, which closes switch 290-294 and grounds line 288, provides this pulse. Thus, every time that the relay is energized, the beam will sweep once as condenser 212 charges. The values of condenser 296 and resistance 286 are so selected to give a time constant so that only one sweep will be triggered no matter how long the contacts 290-294 remain closed. When the contacts open, condenser 236 discharges through resistance 286', which is intentionally made very large so that any possible contact bounce will not trip the gas tube until the condenser is fully discharged and the circuit returned to normal. The output from the sweep oscillator and control diode is fed from plate 268 through line 301 to grid 388 in the second section of the tube 264, which is a cathode-follower amplifier for the signal which then appears across the plate 310 and the cathode 3I2.

Plate 318 is connected to one end of a resistor 3I4, the opposite end of which terminates in line 3I6, which extends to the D. C. power supply panel. The cathode 3l2 is connected directly to resistance 3|8 and thence through resistance 320 in series therewith to line 306. An adjustable tap 322 is movable over resistor 318 and is connected through resistance 324 to ground. In like manner adjustable tap 326 slides on resistor 324 and is directly connected to control grid 328 of tube 330, which with tube 332 forms an amplifier which may be termed the horizontal deflection amplifier, as it amplies the signal providing the horizontal deiiection or the beam or the sweep. By moving tap 322 over resistance 3I8 horizontal balance of the sweep is obtained and by adjusting tap 326 on 324 the horizontal signal gain may be adjusted. Both of these adjustments are made inside the apparatus and not on the control panel.

The output of the push-pull amplier 330-332 is directly connected to the horizontal denection plates of the cathode ray tube by having their plates 334 and 336 connected to lines 338 and 340, condensers 342 and 344 and lines 346 and 348 to the cathode ray plates 350 and 352 respectively. The outputs of the two tubes are opposite in phase. A plurality of resistors 354, 356, 358 and 360 are connected in series across lines 338 and 340 and a second group 362, 364, 366 and 368 are also connected across the same lines in parallel with the rst group. Conductive line 310 connects line 3I6 with a point between resistances 356 and 358 and line 312 connects line 306 with a similar point between resistances 364 and 366. An adjustable tap 314 on resistance 362 is con- 3BE. V22 is connectedrto line 39S by line ddd. The output of this amp-liner is taken from two adjustable and 424 respectively.

.nected directly to line 346 and a similar adjustable tap 316 on resistance 368 to line 3618. The potential divider network consisting of 362, 364, 3GB and SWE which has inst been described is provided so that it .may be adjusted to give an output voltage on the horizontal amplier of ground potential when there is no signal input.

The next portion of the system to be described is that which provides position control for the horizontal beam. This comprises that portion oi the circuit between line 3% and the control electrode or grid 37B of tube 332. A plurality ci resistances 386, 382. and 38d are connected in series between lines 3l@ and 356. An adjustable tan 385 is provided on resistance 332, which tap is directly connected to grid 31B. Resistancee. 633 and Aare connected from intermediate points between resistances 386-382 and S32-33d respectively and to ground. A shunt condenser 392 is connected across resistance 38S and a similar shunt cendenser 364 across resistance 399. .Bv moving the adjustable tap 336 over resistance 352. the horizontal `beam may be adjusted. Since the deliection amplier is direct coupled to the deiiection plates, a variation in the D. C. voltage applied to the grid 3'58 will cause the pattern to shift to the right or left depending on the direction of movement of the control.

The remainder of the unit 2G, as shown on Figure 1, is that portion devoted to amplifying the vertical deecting signals that are provided by the electronic switch unit I6. The'vertical deiiection amplifiers are substantially the same as the horizontal deflection ampliers and consist of two tubes 39S, S68, connected in push-pull relation. The incoming signal from the electronic switch is applied to condenser E, which is connected to a stationary terminal Movable switch arm 362 of a multi-blade, multi-position lswitch 'is adapted'to engage this contact in one of its positions as well as contact-s @dit and de@ when in other positions. The movable 'switch arm 432 is vconnected through resistor ldd to vground. A variable tap dit on resistor 48d is connected in turn to the control grid @l2 oi' the tube 335 and provides a vertical amplifier gain control. The plate @ifi of this tube is connected through 'line iii with one side of a potential divider similar to that in the horizontal deflection amplier output sistances di?, 42e, 422 and @2d in series, the opposite end being connected to line @526, which eX- tends to plate 428 oi tube 39S. In parallel with these resistances between the two lines iid and`426 is another group of resistances in series relation, 113), and E355 with line connectingT a point between resistors et?! and Se to .line 3%6. Line dit, it will be remembered, is one 'of the D. C. power lines. Cathode of tube 356' is connected through resistor te line The Vcenter tap between resistors 12d and taps' 446 and MS movable over the resistors 313 Tap tilt is connected by line 650 lto stationary switch contacts 512 and 454, both of which are engaged in diierent posi- 'tions'by the movable switch arm 45S, which also *to stationary contacts s2 and slid, which are engaged by movable switch arm 555, which completes the three gangv switch assembly. Arm t6 "also engagescontact 468 in `one remoteposition.

which consists or" four re- Condenser 4'!!! is connected across between line 450 and line M6 and condenser i12 from line d6!) to 426.

Gang switch arm 456 is connected through line M4 to one of the vertical deflection plates @l5 and switch arm d66 is connected through line W3 to the other vertical deflection plate @8d so that if these arms rest on either of their first twocontacts the output of the amplifier is directly impressed unon the vertical deflection plates. As in the previous amplifier the output voltage is balanced at ground potential with no signal present by adjusting the taps M6 and M8. The vertical positioning control is a substantial duplicate of the horizontal positioning control and consists of three resistances 482, 481i and 436 in series between lines 3&6 and 316. A resistor dis connected from a point intermediate, resistances 682 and 48d to ground, and a resistor 49E) from a point between resistances 484 and @36 to ground. An' adjustable tap 492 movable over resistor dtd is connected directly to grid ltd of tube 3&8 and by moving the same thereover the potential on the grid is varied and the position of the trace varied.

`The three gang switch fitti, 456 and |366 may be termed the vertical input selection switch and in the position shown which may be designated as position #1., the signal from the electronic switch is. applied to the vertical deflection amplifiers 386, 396 through switch arms 460, 462 and the output of the amplifiers applied through switches 456, 452 and 486, 462 to the vertical deflection plates M6, $80 of the cathode ray tube 512. Instead of applying the signal from the electronic switch the operator may wish to use the cathode ray tube to indicate some external signal and there is supplied means for connecting in such signal. Two connector plugs 596 and 498 are mounted in the casing and each has one vterminal grounded. Terminal 5t!) of plug 96 is 'ler appliedtofthe vvertical plates M6, d8!) of the cathoderay tube as previously described. In the second position with therthree switch arms engaging.contactsvillttud and 46d respectively, the signal from the electronic switch is cut oi'l and any external vvsignal applied to plug ddii isconnected to the ampliiier input, the output of which as before isapplied to the vertical plates asV there has been no change inthe' switching of the two arms 456 and 566. Thus, the externally generated signal is amplified and applied to the cathode ray tube. li,` on the other hand, it is not desired to amplify this external signal, then by plugging into connector 498 and moving the switch to the third position, the signal will be applied to the defiector plates directly without passing through the amplifier through an obvious circuit kand the strength of the signal may be variedby moving tap 5H! over resistor 568.

The oscillograph itself is indicated on the block diagram as 24 and is shown within the dash-dot line enclosure in .the left hand portion of Figure 3. Incoming lines 5M and5|6 bring in power at 1'10.v..from the panel and are connected'to the primary coils of two transformers I8 and 526. The secondary 522 of transformer 528 is connected directly to the heater 524 of the cathode-ray tube. Transformer 5i8 on the other hand has a plurality of secondary coils526, 528 and 530. Coils 526 and 528 are directly connected to the heater elements of half wave rectifier tubes 532 and 534 respectively. Line 536 connects one end of secondary v530 with electrode 538 of the tube 532. The opposite terminal of the secondary 530 is connected to ground through line 546. Electrode 542 of the tube 534 is connected through resistor 544 with one end of a potential divider formed of a plurality of resistors 546, 548, 550, 552, and 554, all in series to ground.

An adjustable tap 556, adapted to move over the resistor 546, is connected through resistor 558 to control grid 560 of the tube for controlling the intensity of the same. Condenser 562 is shown connected to this same grid; the line extending therefrom terminates in an arrow indicating further connection, which in this case would be to a beam blanking amplifier (not shown) if it was desired to use one. An adjustable tap 564 cooperating with resistor 550 is directly connected to a second control grid 566 of the cathode ray tube. This grid is provided to control the focus of the tube and the same is therefore adjusted by moving the tap 564.

A switch 568 engaging two stationary contacts 510 and 512 is provided to control the energization of the beam. Contact 510 is connected by line 514 to a point intermediate resistors 550 and 552 and resistor 518 is connected from this line in shunt with resistor 552 and connected to a point between resistors 552 and 554. Line 518 extends from a point between resistor 546 and 548 to stationary contact 580 and also to stationary contact 580 and also to stationary contact 512. Contact 580 is one associated with the relay switch 292 and cooperates with movable arm 582 actuated by the coil, said arm being connected through line 584 to the tube cathode 524. When in its deenergized position arm 682 is adapted to engage contact 586. which is directly connected to the switch arm 568. When switch 568 is moved to the position as shown and is in engagement with contact 510, it is in what may be termed automatic position. This means that the switch shorts out a section of the bleeder which increases the negative voltage applied to grid 590 and stops the electron beam. When in this condition. if the relay 292 is energized, then switch 580-582 is closed to alter this condition and the beam is turned on for the duration of the welding cycle or as long as relay 292 is energized and as soon as 292 is deenergized the beam is again cut off. In other words, it is only on duringr energized intervals of relay operation and is otherwise cut off. If, on the other hand, the switch 568 is moved to contact 512, then the beam is in what may be termed manual position and the beam is on continuously. This portion of the oscillograph system from electrode 542 is all at negative or below ground potential.

From electrode 588 of rectifier tube 532 the positive potential is derived and this is fed through line 590 to a bleeder formed of resistances 592, 594, 598 and 598, the opposite end of the series being connected to ground. A line 600 is connected at an intermediate point in the bleeder and this line extends to the intensifier electrode 602 of the cathode ray tube 5|2. A main power switch 604 for the whole system is shown in this panel and connected to lines 606 12 and 608 which will be more specifically described at a later point.

Certain direct current voltages are required by" the apparatus and these are provided by the D. C. power supply panel shown to the right of the oscillograph. A pair of input lines 6I0 and 6i? extend from the power distribution panel and are connected across primary 6| 4 of the power transformer. A plurality of secondary coils 6|6, 6I8 and 620 are located in inductive relation to the primary. A full wave rectier tube 622 has its electrodes 624 and 626 connected across the main secondary coil 6I8, which is also connected by lines 628 and 630 to cathodes 632 and 634 of two half wave rectiiier tubes 636 and 638. Secondary 6l6 is connected to two resistors 640 and 64! and to the heater electrode 642 of the full wave rectifier 622. The center point of the two resistances is connected through a series of chokes and resistance capacity members forming lters 625 to one of the power supply cables 644 which carries a potential above ground, in this particular case approximately +375 volts. The other two half wave rectiers that have an electrode connected to the secondary 6|8 have their plates 646 and 648 connected to a common wire 658 which in like manner is connected through a similar series of chokes, capacities and resistances comprising'i-llter circuits 621 to the negative power lead 652 which is in this example 300 volts. Secondary 620 provides heater energy for the two tubes 636 and 638 and also to lines 658 and 660 which extend to other cathode heaters. The intermediate cable lead 654 is grounded.

As mentioned at an earlier point in the speciiication, it is desirable to have the weld timer control provide the initiating pulse for the apparatus and this is accomplished through the beam control and synchronizing relay 292, which is operated by the equipment in the trip control panel shown to the left in Figure 3a. Two power lines 662 and 664 extend from the power distribution panel and are connected across the primary 666 of a transformer. The secondary 668 provides current for the heater element 610 of the thyratron tube 612. Line 664 extends to the relay coil 292 and a return line 614 is connected to the movable switch arm 616, which cooperates with two fixed contacts 618 and 680, the rst being the manual position and the second the automatic. The manual contact is connected by line 682 toa stationary contact 684 and a second spaced stationary contact 686 by line 688 to relay coil 690 and thence to plate 692 of tube 612. A push button switch 694 bridges the gap between contacts 684 and 686.

Relay coil 690 actuates movable relay contact 696, which moves between stationary contacts 698 and 100. The movable contact 696 is connected by line 102 to movable switch arm 104 which in turn cooperates with stationary contact 106 connected by line 108 to contact 680. Line 102 is connected to power line 662 by tie line 1I0. Switch arm 104 is operated by relay coil 112, which is connected back to the welding machine timing circuit by two lines 144 and 1|6. Contact 698 of relay switch 690 is connected by line 1I8 to one movable switch arm of a relay switch, which with a second movable switch arm 122 is moved by relay coil 124. Movable switch arm 120 cooperates with stationary contact 12 6, which is connected both to one terminal of the relay coil 124 and to line 614. The other terminal of the relay coil is connected to line 664 and to stationary contact 128 cooperating with movable :z'switchfzarm i122. .Movableswitchiarm ,122 .is

connectedtzbyline 1301withboth1'the cathodeV 132 :fandfgridj134'of thetube- 612. V'Resistor 1361s connectedbetween the grid-134iandthe relay coil 690. .Thercontroligrid138-.is connected through `resistance 1.40 to resistance T142 Aandlcondenser .and-engages contact 618 then-:when the. manual push Vbutton '694 is depressedaecircuit :isrfcompleted for relay-1e` as follows: line.662,-.line 1li),

Iline-.162, line 688,:switch 686,694, 684,'-1ine 682,

switch 618, G16-relay .coil 124, line-105, backto powerv line 564. -When relay'coil..124is.thus en- .ergized, itY locks in through its 'ownswitchfcontacts 12il-1l5,` and through' normallyclosedrcontacts 696-698 of relay-69E). iThe-.jcoil-292 of the beam synchronizing vrelay .is connected. in parallel with relay 124 so the beam is now turned on and a single sweepinitiated.

Simultaneously with closing switch 12d-126 the relay coil 12d causes switch 122-128 to close, which connects the cathode 132 directly to main line 56d rand then applies full line current to the anode kcathodecircuit of the tube. Since, however, the grid 138 is held at negative potential due to thecharge which has accumulated on con- .denser 14d, no current will now inthe anode cathode circuit. When suiiicient timehas elapsed following the relay energization to permit the charge Von 144 to Vleak off through resistance 142 so that the grid loses control, .current will iiow in the anode-cathode circuit of the tube .612, andrelay coil 690 will be energized. This opens switch 696-698, which, as before mentioned, is-in the holding circuit for relay coil 124. The two relays drop out since the deenergization of coil 124 `breaks `switch 122-123 or -power switch for the vtube which stops. the Yelectron beam of the cath- ,oderaytuba resetsthe sweep oscillator for the next sweep, and chargesv upcondenser 1M ready -ior-another actuation. The lengthl :of nthe timing -actionof condenser 144 may beadjusted by mov- ,ing the adjustable tap `145-8 overthe associated resistor '559, moving the same upward to shorten .and -downward to lengthenv the time period.

If .instead of manual. operation of the device it is desired to trigger the-same Vby the welding timer, then switch 61E is `moved to contact 68d. This replaces the `manual push button switch 664 with relay operated switch 18d- 166. Then at yever",1 energization of thecoil 1l2 `from the welding -timer the cycle, as described above, will be carried out to synchronize the same with'the operation of the welding machine.

A powerl distribution panel 'isprovided to supply all the power for the complete device except the .trippingor synchronizing pulse that .comes from the weld timer through lines! i4, H8. vAs shown on Figureza, a cord reel 154 is provided Vfor an 1- attachment cord .to be Aconnected -to the conventional 11G y. A. C. current. Two power lines/156 :and '553 `are .connected tothe cord reel -and-.extend vto posts #Land-# on-the panel.

A fuse-'ld' is connected. betweenpostsitl andl .#2 andpost #E is connected toline--zconnected to Vmain iswitch fdll. Line SilSeXtends-.balck to binding post #3. ABindingpostfat .-isconneoted through a fuse to binding post -#6,which.is in :turn .connectedby abus bartobinding post `#1.

.Theg primary '16E-of a 1Y voltagezzregulating. trans- .former is connected across binding Vposts #8 @and vvtf1. `The. secondary 165 'of the transformerl is connected across binding posts #ll and#8. Con- .nected to binding posts #d and #8 arelines 166 and 163 which extend to the regulated D. C.

lpower supply panel and lines 5l@ and 5w, which Yamplifier andphase selector and theelectronic switch, it has .beeniound .advisable to. further `regulate the supply voltage to further .stabilize the voltage. For this purpose the regulated YD. C.

`power supply panel t2 is provided and the supply `lines 156 and 168 from the power `distribution panel are connected to three transformerprimaries 113,112 and .114. The circuit of this panel may be divided into two parts., one for supplying ftheregulated positive voltage (that-aboveground potential) and a second part that supplies negative voltage (that below ground potential). In the drawings the upper half of the circuit is utilized for the positive potential and the lower half for the negative, as outlined by the dash-dot-line.

Referring rst to the positive voltage supply portion, the secondary coil 116, associated with primary 118, is connected directly to the cathode 118 of a triode tube 18d. A center tap on this secondary is connected to line 152, which is the main positive line and extends to the other sections of the apparatus. Secondary 184, associated with primary 112, has one terminal connected tothe electrodes of a rectifier tube 156, the opposite terminal being connected through line 188 to ground. Secondary 198, also associated with primary 112, feeds cathode 192 of tube 155 and has a center tap connected to line 194, which extends to a capacitor 196, the other side of which joins line 18B. Line 19d is also connected to choke coil 198. Condenser 868 is connected between line 188 and the oppositeend ofthe choke -coil and a plurality of resistors'8ll2, 8M and 8&6 are connected in parallel withsaid condenser. Lineii extends from a point intermedi- -ate the choke .les and resistance S92 to stationary switch contact dii-l, which cooperates withl movahleswitcharmtil connected through line SIS yto plate 8 lli of tube '585. The movable switch arm .-614 is operated by relay coil S25, connected inthe plate circuit of rectiii-er tube 822, between said plate dill and main supply line 168. Cathode 826 of the same tube is directly connected to the other supply line 1&8.

.The grid 821.5 of the tube 158 is connected through resistor 836 to line 182 and directly to plate 832 of. theregulator tube 8E/l. Grid 836.01

this tube is connected to cathode 838 of the same tube and to one electrode 8128 of a gas regulator tube fthe second electrode 8M ofwhich is directly connected to line 188. A` potential divider formed of three resistances ddii, 848, and 858 in series is connected across lines 1821and 188.

vScreen grid 852 is connected directly to adjustable tap d which moves over resistor 804, and control grid ii of the regulator tube in like manner is connected to variable tap 85S of resistor 848. .The last secondary Vwinding 836, associated with primary 112, supplies leads 862 and 864 with current for a number of heaters for tubes such as,

.for example, 834, 98 and86.

'I-netheiioperation of the voltage regulator, .any

minute variation in the output voltage on line V182 will vary the potential applied to grid 853 of the regulator tube, and therefore the grid cath- Iode potential, since the gas tube 8d2 is an inherent regulator and tends to keep! the cathode voltage constant on tube 83d. Amplification by 83d of this variation affects grid 828 of tube 18) in such a Way as to produce a change in the voltage drop in this tube which will be in the opposite sense to the voltage change in the line to balance the same, and line voltage will tend to remain constant. The set Value of voltage may be regulated by moving the variable tap 858 over resistor 8h58. The screen Voltage control 851%-894 removes much of the ripple voltage caused by the half wave rectifier and a high degree of filtering action is obtained from this system due to the fact that the independence of the load from the output voltage causes the output voltage to act as though it had very low internal impedance. This prevents coupling or variation of output voltage between the three units supplied by this power.

The regulator tube 834 is of the indirectly heated cathode type and, therefore, takes some time to warm up before any regulating action takes piace. A time delay system is therefore incorporated to prevent the application of full voltage to the tube before its cathode has reached operating temperature. Until the plate circuit of tube 18] is closed the regulating system cannot function. This in turn is accomplished by conductivity of tube 322. This tube has its cathode SBB heated by energy from secondary 852 inductively associated with primary 714. In series with the cathode and secondary, however, there is a resistance S64 which cuts down the current and thus requires a longer time period for the cathode 8S?) to heat, When the main switch is closed, there is some 80 seconds delay before the cathode 85d is heated and the rectifier 822 conducts. As soon as it does, of course, the relay coil 82B is energized to close switch SI2-8H! and the regulating system may now function normally.

The remainder of the equipment on this panel is provided to give the negative regulated voltage which it is desired to apply to line 866. Secondary 868 inductively associated with primary 'VM is, therefore, connected to the two plates of full Wave -rectier tube 81'8, the center tap of this secondary being connected directly to power line 866. A third secondary coil 812 associated with primary 114 is connected directly to the cathode of the tube 8m. A lter system 874, comprising a series of chokes, condensers and resistors, is connected between the cathode and power line 85B and across this lter is a gas discharge voltage regulator tube 815, one terminal 818 of which is connected to ground and the other 388 to line 856. Thus, line 366 is provided with filtered and regulated potential beow ground or negative.

To summarize the operation of the analyzer, the operator first plugs the power supply cord into the commercial 110 Volt supply outlet and places the pick-up unit 2 on the lower electrode of the Welder and close main switch B06. This energizes the regulated D. C. power supply panel, which provides D. C. of the proper voltage to the oscillator-detector, current amplifier and electronic switch and also the D. C. power supply panel for unregulated power for the remainder of the system. Assuming that the various adjustments for voltage, signal strength, etc., have been made, the operator then determines whether he desires to View one cycle at a time initiated by manual knob button pressure or whether to View a series of cycles initiated automatically by the welding machine timer. Beam control switch 568 is then moved -to the automatic position or in engagement with the contact 5m if the beam is to be automatically controlled. Then, assuming that the operator wishes to examine one cycle at a time, he moves switch Sie to the manual position or in contact with contact 618 and switchI 298 to contact 302. Then each time the manual push button switch 694 is pressed, a single welding cycle is shown on the cathode-ray tube screen. If the operator wishes to view a series of cycles, he may move switch 675 to the automatic position and the welding timer will trigger the system to impress a cycle on the tube as often as themachine operates. If the current and pressure curves are confusingly superimposed, the operator may reverse the phase of the current curve to position it on the bottom of the screen, as shown in dotted lines on Fig. la, by throwing switch |46 to engage contact |54.

I claim:

l. In indicating means for determining the different varying factors in the normal operation of a complex machine throughout its cycle of operation, means for translating operating factors into proportionate electrical voltages, a resonant tuned circuit connected to a part of the output of the translating means, an oscillator, a detector unit, coupling means connected between the oscillator and the detector, a low impedance transmission line inductively coupled between the tuned resonant circuit and the coupling means to introduce variations into the latter as the machine factor changes, and a cathode ray tube connected to the output of the detector to indicate such changes.

2. In indicating means for determining the different varying factors in the normal operation of a complex machine throughout its cycle of operation, means for translating operating factors into proportionate electrical voltages, a resonant tuned circuit connected to a part of the output of the translating means, an oscillator, a detector unit, coupling means connected between the oscillator and the detector, a low impedance transmission line inductively coupled between the tuned resonant circuit and the coupling means to introduce variations into the latter as the machine factor changes, amplifying means connected to the remainder of the output of the translating means, a high frequency switching means connected to both the detector means and to the amplifying means, and a cathode ray tube connected to the switching means so that the out- -put of the translating means is applied to the plurality of factors.

3. In indicating means for determining operating factors of a mechanism in normal operation, means for translating said operating factors into proportional electrical voltages, high frequency switching means connected to the output of the translating means, a cathode ray tube, an oscillator for providing sweep frequency pulses for the tube, a plurality of push-pull amplifiers, one between the oscillator and cathode ray tube and the second between the high frequency switch and cathode ray tube, and balanced bridge circuits between each amplifier and the tube.

4. In indicating means for determining operating factors of a mechanism in normal Operation, means for translating the factors into proportionate electrical voltages, a resonant tuned circuit directly connected to the translating means for one factor, oscillator-detector means inductively coupled together, a low impedance transmission line terminating in coupling units at each end inductively associated with the oscillatordetector coupling at one end and the tuned resonant circuit at the other, amplifier means connected to another translating means, high frequency electronic switching means connected to the output of both the amplifier and detector to alternately switch the two signals, and a cathode ray oscillograph connected to the output of the switch so that a plurality of high frequency pulses of a value proportionate to the factors are alternately applied to the oscillograph and a plurality of traces are formed simultaneously.

5. In indicating means for determining operating factors of a mechanism in normal operation, means for translating the factors into proportionate electrical voltages, a resonant tuned circuit directly connected to the translating means for one factor, oscillator-detector means inductively coupled together, a low impedance transmission line terminating in coupling units at each end inductively associated with the oscillatordetector coupling at one end and the tuned resonant circuit at the other, amplifier means connected to another translating means, high frequency electronic switching means connected to the output of both the amplier and detector to alternately switch the two signals, a cathode ray oscillograph connected to the output of the switch so that a plurality of high frequency pulses of a value proportionate to the factors are alternately applied to the oscillograph and a plurality of traces are formed simultaneously, and phase inversion means associated with said amplifier to invert the phase of the signal therethrough which inverts the trace on the oscillograph tube and simplifies the studying of the same.

6. In means for indicating operating factors in the normal operation of a mechanism, means for translating a plurality of factors into proportionate electrical voltages, high frequency electronic switching means connected t the translating means, adjustable balanced amplifying means connected to the output of the electronic switching means a cathode ray oscillograph having vertical and horizontal deflection plates, oscillator means for generating a sweep pulse, adjustable amplifier means connected to said oscillator, said amplifier output being connected to the horizontal deection plates, means intercon- 18 necting said vertical deflection plates to the Output of the adjustable balanced amplifier connected to the high frequency electronic switch and beam control switching means capable of actuation either manually or by the operation of the mechanism being tested.

7. In indicating means for determining operating factors o-f a mechanism in normal operation, means for translating the factors into proportional electrical voltages, high frequency switching means connected to the translating means, a cathode ray tube having horizontal and vertical deflection plates, amplifying means connected between the high frequency switch and the vertical deflection plates to apply the amplified signals thereto at such a rapid rate that a multiplicity of apparently continuous traces result, sweep oscillator means, amplifier means connected to said oscillator and to the horizontal deection plates and compound switching means for the oscillator to provide either simple sweep or continuous sweep operation either manually or machine triggered, and means for controlling the beam of the cathode ray tube, also controlled by the compound switching means.

ROBERT O. ELLERBY.

Y REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,089,430 Roys et al Aug. 10, 1937 2,098,695 Southwick Nov. 9, 1937 2,122,499 Stocker July 5, 1938 2,153,140 Diehl et al Apr. 4, 1939 2,221,115 Shepard, Jr Nov. 12, 1940 2,350,069 Schrader et al May 30, 1944 2,363,810 Schrader et al. v Nov. 28, 1944 2,366,357 Schlesinger Jan. 2, 1945 2,368,449 Cook Jan. 30, 1945 2,405,238 Seeley Aug. 6, 1946 2,420,516 Bischoff May 13, 1947 2,427,263 Dodds et al Sept. 9, 1947 2,430,237 Moncher Nov. 4, 1947 2,439,050 Mallory Apr. 6, 1948 2,449,792 Snyder, Jr Sept. 21, 1948 2,466,924 Bradfordet al. Apr. 12, 1949 2,471,530 Lobel May 31, 1949 2,477,770 Richter Aug. 2. 1949 

